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OrthoVellum

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Foot & Ankle
intermediate
X-Type

Syndesmosis Injuries

Ankle Injuries

A 24-year-old rugby player presents after an external rotation injury to his right ankle during a tackle. He reports pain proximal to the lateral malleolus and cannot bear weight. Examination reveals tenderness over the anterior tibiofibular ligament, positive squeeze test, and pain with external rotation stress. There is no medial or lateral malleolus fracture on X-ray, but the tibiofibular clear space appears widened at 7mm. There is no proximal fibula tenderness. Regarding syndesmosis injuries:

Mark each as TRUE or FALSE

A

The distal tibiofibular syndesmosis comprises the anterior inferior tibiofibular ligament (AITFL), p...

B

Clinical tests include the squeeze test (compressing tibia and fibula proximally causes distal pain)...

C

The AITFL is the strongest syndesmotic ligament; internal rotation is the typical mechanism; pain is...

D

Radiographic findings include tibiofibular clear space greater than 6mm (on mortise view), tibiofibu...

E

Unstable syndesmosis injuries (widening greater than 2mm on stress views, associated fractures) requ...

Answer the questions to see explanations

Click T (True) or F (False) for each option